ORR budget approved by school committee with $215,000 increase

MATTAPOISETT — The Old Rochester Regional District School Committee approved a $16.8 million budget Tuesday night, reflecting a 1.3 percent increase over the current year and an expected boost in state aid and lower health care costs.

Comment

By SIMÓN RIOS

southcoasttoday.com

By SIMÓN RIOS

Posted Mar. 6, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 6, 2013 at 6:12 AM

By SIMÓN RIOS

Posted Mar. 6, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 6, 2013 at 6:12 AM

» Social News

MATTAPOISETT — The Old Rochester Regional District School Committee approved a $16.8 million budget Tuesday night, reflecting a 1.3 percent increase over the current year and an expected boost in state aid and lower health care costs.

At a public hearing that drew only about 15 people including the committee members, Superintendent Douglas White said the district expects increases in state funding through Chapter 70 and transportation aid to the tune of nearly $500,000, and a $226,000 decrease in health care costs.

If state aid doesn't increase, "we have to go back to our three towns and ask for additional funding or make cuts to make that number come true," White said, adding that he is hopeful the estimate won't change dramatically.

The proposed budget represents an increase of $215,278 over the current budget. It now goes to Mattapoisett, Marion and Rochester for approval. Projected assessments are $4.85 million for Mattapoisett, down 3.3 percent from fiscal 2013; $3.95 million for Marion, up 1.5 percent from 2013, and $4.4 million for Rochester, down nearly 1 percent from 2013.

The budget includes $8.33 million for professional salaries, up about 7 percent or $547,000 from the current year. Non-professional staff expenditures (such as secretaries and paraprofessionals) are projected to drop by 0.2 percent.

While the teachers union is still without a contract, Catherine Antonellis, school business administrator, said after the meeting that the district hopes to strike a deal with the union by the end of the fiscal year.

Enrollment is expected to increase at the high school from the current 706 to 735. The projected enrollment at the junior high school increases by 14 students to 490, according to Principal Kevin Brogioli.

At the junior high, the full-time librarian position will be cut in half, while a second full-time physical education teacher will be added.

"It was not an easy decision," Brogioli said. "Is it ideal? No. But it does give us more flexibility in our building for what we need."

One net position will be added to the payroll in 2014 in the form of a school aide, with minor staffing shuffles in both schools.